Both vacation rental properties and hotels are plentiful at all five entrances to Yellowstone (there are three in Montana and two in Wyoming). 10/6 - I was in the Upper Geyser Basin walking from the Lion Geyser complex down basin toward Grand geyser. The first is the Yellowstone River, which runs through the park from north to south. Most of the footage was s. There's a nice Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone where last-minute rooms in July started at $281 a night. Gray wolves, coyotes, red foxes and bobcats will all eat the charismatic otter. In spring, on the other hand, the bison and elk that didnt survive winter, known as winter-kill, attract black and grizzly bears to the Old Faithful area. } But the best features are the dramatic hot springs laced with boardwalks for closer observations. Although fishing in no longer allowed there, Fishing Bridge does still offer a great chance to see these trout, as well as other fish. Flashes of blue, rusty orange, and bright yellow signal the first wave of birds returning to the ecosystem. Because of this density of grizzly bears, the Fishing Bridge RV Park is Yellowstones only campground where tent camping is not allowedonly hard-sided vehicles are allowed. There is almost always a heron on the west side of the bridge that we stop and take pics of, but oddly we never saw one there this year. travel as far as 150 miles from winter range to the lush grasslands, pursued by a full complement of predatorsbears, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and more. I saw an otter at the confluence of Elk Antler Creek and the Yellowstone in Hayden Valley in August. "Our cancellation policy is 48 hours out, so we do get cancellations even close in.". Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. We are 1st time visitors, so we will be trying to hit just about everything we can. In June, animals of all stripes and colors are raising babies, from marmots to pronghorn. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/yellowstone-otters/introduction/2103/, Yellowstones Boiling River No Longer Boils, 10 Top Things to Do in Badlands National Park, Soak in Montanas Beauty at Under Canvas North Yellowstone Paradise Valley. Inside Yellowstone - River Otters River otters can be found in many of Yellowstone's waterways. I often stop there to look at the swallows which have their nests under the bridge, and happened to see an otter.<<<. Stay inside or close to your car when observing black or grizzly bears. They are open June-September. Beavers, in turn, experienced a resurgence, as did muskrats, otters, duck, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Below, youll find all you need to know about wildlife watching in Yellowstone. World-famous Yellowstone, established in 1872, is the oldest national park in the United States and one of the most popular. You can usually stay at a lodge near Old Faithful, but for the 2020 season, only cabins are available. Additionally, the area is also one of the best places in Yellowstone National Park to see a variety of large herbivores. You get more of the park to yourself and wildlife is more likely to be around. Many of the large lodges have existed for more than a century, so keep that in mind and manage your expectations accordingly. The tail is a third of the otters length. Rates are generally better, but it's a good 2-hour drive to Yellowstone. . The park is home to both the Wolverine and Lynx, as well as seven native ungulate species and two bear species. You can search Cody, Wyoming and areas in Idaho. Bears return to lower elevations to build up fat for denning season, gorging on ripe berries, rose hips, and bull bison that perished during the rut. I saw a romp of 5 otters here and watched them for an hour and a half or so early one morning. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy. In fact, many of its millions of annual visitors come here to see huge herds of bison, imposing grizzly bears, aloof moose and prowling wolf packs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Short staffing and high demand could spell disaster for your summer travel plans, Now live: Earn over 4% APY interest on the cash back from your Apple Card. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=deb.roesler&set=a.1319072298111122. 5 Places To Play With Otters In The DFW Area, Calling The West Valley Animal Shelter: Finding A New Furry Family Member, A Beacon Of Hope: The Olathe Animal Shelter And Its Commitment To Animal Welfare, The Heart And Soul Of Animal Rescue: A Guide To Becoming An Animal Shelter Manager, Helping Local Animal Shelters Find Homes For Their Animals, Verona Street Animal Society: Dedicated To Reducing Animal Homelessness And Providing Quality Care, Giving Our Furry Friends A Second Chance: The Importance Of Animal Shelters, Understanding The Process Of Taking A Pet Bird To An Animal Shelter, Equipping Animal Shelter Workers: The Essential Training For Making A Difference, A Call To Action: Why We Need A New Animal Shelter Now To Help End Homelessness And Animal Cruelty. For roadside wildlife watching in Yellowstone, nothing beats a quality spotting scope. Make sure to look in areas nearby a body of water. https://www.facebook.com/100000250929411/videos/a.2112675085417502/2119536084731402, https://www.facebook.com/BraedenRoeslerPhotography/photos/pb.100063499745010.-2207520000../1272464493494216/?type=3. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Sandhill cranes, ducks, robins, swans, geese, red-tailed hawks, bluebirds, and meadowlarks are among the first to return. Just watch out for added taxes and fees (unlike the rest of Montana, there are taxes in West Yellowstone). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-115042601', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yellowstone is wonderful! Delta offers year-round, nonstop flights from Salt Lake City and seasonal service from Minneapolis, and United has service from Denver. None of those flights are happening, but we're hoping they return next year. Will give it another go, maybe with these hints, next month. From the shores of Yellowstone Lake and the warmth of Old Faithful to the Lamar and Hayden valleys, these are the absolute best places to see Yellowstone National Park wildlife. I recently returned from an incredible trip to Yellowstone, our nation's first national park. If you have something really important to say, email us and we'd be delighted to reopen it for you. Little red dogsso-called because of their bright rusty orange coatspop up all over the northern range. Not agile or fast on land unless they find snow or ice, then can move rapidly by alternating hops and slides; can reach speeds of 15 miles per hour. Even this summer, with the coronavirus crippling travel, there isn't much availability. The boardwalk overlooks the Firehole River at one point and I saw otters there. And so the cycle of seasons in Yellowstone begins again, much as it has for millennia. 87: 485494. Check back frequently. There are plenty of places for you to stay in and around Yellowstone. Aslo as you drive north to other smaller geyser basins, watch the river. You can easily pull off the road and see any or all of these animals at once. Make sure to carry bear spray at all times. } A large amount of bubbles, large ripples in the water, and a long, thick tail are all indications that this fish is present. Duration: 2 minute 08 seconds. Yellowstone Lake is home to North Americas largest population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. For more travel experiences to Beautiful Places on Earth available from Xanterra Travel Collection and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/explore. WY With taxes and fees, a four-night stay would be just over $1,200. Related: How to visit the national parks for less. It was very strange to be there in the days of COVID-19, but it was also one of my best visits yet, as it wasn't as crowded as it's been in the past. Travelers will also discover a ton of adventure in this park. Otters can close their ears and nostrils, using their whiskers to search for prey. Going north past the dam, you can drive down a short dirt road below the dam to the river and there is a small pond there. Paws Up resort in Greenough, Montana is also a 4.5-hour drive, and rooms will set you back about $1,700 a night. While less powerful than spotting scopes, binoculars are much more portable, making them a handy Yellowstone wildlife viewing tool on hikes. You can find better deals if you're willing to stay at a vacation rental instead. They're tiny, sure, but the perfect base for exploring the nearby geysers, mountains and hot springs when I stayed there in June. Under the insulating snow, a thriving subnivean layer protects insects, plants, and small rodents. Check out the most iconic animals that are regularly seen in Yellowstone below, as well as where you have the best chance of spotting them. Consider redeeming a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book a stay at an independent property. Duration: 2 minute 08 seconds Duration: 2 minutes, 8 seconds Photo Gallery There are plenty of places for you to stay in and around Yellowstone. These guys seemed to want an audience. A North American river otter. Of course, there's always Yellowstone's eponymous airport. Want to experience Yellowstone in-depth? margin-top: 10px; River otters can be found in North Americas vast desert and cold-weather regions, but they are not found in arid deserts or treestops. Learn more about who we are and what we do HERE. The one that everyone wanted to see was river otters so the guide said head to the Madison River so off we went heading towards West Yellowstone. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit, Old Faithful erupting June 2020. 2 min walk from parking area, and beautiful. The heart of Yellowstones wildlife-rich Northern Range, the Tower-Roosevelt area is characterized by sheer cliffs and rock formations. There was a surge in songbirds due to increased . In Big Sky, the relatively new Wilson Hotel, a Residence Inn by Marriott, is one of the first from a major brand in the area. Other predators thrive here, too, but are less often seenthey include red foxes, mountain lions and bobcats. margin: auto; As snow accumulates, male grizzlies follow wolf packs to steal a few more meals before denning season, while female grizzlies search for a den location. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Adult otters weigh 10 to 30 pounds and can grow up to four feet long, while baby otters are typically half their size. Tough find in summer. I . Small-business credit card vs. corporate credit card: Which is right for your business? Prices are also high during the peak summer season yes, even in 2020 and can easily run at least $250 per night. What Is the Best Time for Yellowstone Wildlife Watching? Otters are also often seen in the Lewis River, which flows into the Yellowstone River from the west. About 6:30 a.m. on June 21, 2010, we saw two otters rassling in Alum Creek. Related: How to visit the national parks for less Points hotels near Yellowstone There are, however, a few trails specially designed for mountain biking. Despite the less evocative name, Lower Falls is an even more impressive scene. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. You can camp, hike in the backcountry, boat, fish, cycle and, in the winter, you can even try cross-country skiing. Yellowstone wildlife viewing is one of the parks absolute highlights. Among the many rare species you might encounter are grizzly and brown bears, wolves, mountain lions, foxes, coyotes, elk, deer, buffalo, moose and every matter of birds. Related: State-by-state guide to reopening America. You're pretty much guaranteed to see elk during a trip here. Otters can be seen diving for fish and rolling on the banks along the few stretches of open water, their belly-wide sledding marks of playful sliding between fishing holes evident in the snow. Once filled by an arm of vast Yellowstone Lake, this valley is now home to essentially all of the largest Yellowstone mammals. The offer is not valid with the Interagency Annual Pass. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In winter, its also possible to see red foxes and coyotes hunting in snow-covered meadows, while trumpeter swans hang out in rivers with open water. Consider, for example, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. We saw these two otters towards the southern end of Hayden Valley in October one year. In (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Clues to this underground world are visible from the tracks of the long and short- tailed weasels, foxes, and coyotes which prey upon the small mammals below. The 2-day, one night trek expedition set out to look for otter scat and sign, with no guarantees of sighting the actual critters. That makes inventory even scarcer than it usually is this time of year. It can also make a lot of sense to use your credit card points to help offset the cost of an upscale stay near the park. 82190-0168, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. And everyone there realized what an amazing treat they were giving us. Spawning trout provide food for otters and bears. Wolf pups venture to a rendezvous site where they will spend most of the summer in the care of wolf babysitters. State-by-state guide to reopening America, complete guide on the best times to visit Yellowstone, How to use points to stay near national parks, Xanterra is the concessioner for all accommodations, I went to Glacier and Yellowstone during COVID-19 and it was weird, New routes make it easier than ever to visit these top US National Parks, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Gray wolves were restored in 1995. The first newborn elk calves can be seen trying to stand on thin, wobbly legs. I'm especially fond of Artist Point. Studded with bubbling mud pots . You can fly to a number of cities that put Yellowstone within reach. Still, if you really want to explore, bring hiking boots. otters can reach a length of four feet and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. Especially the Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, a few miles north, are home to many bears in spring. What Are the Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park? It's just under 100 miles from Yellowstone. There are numerous animals to be found in Yellowstone National Park. Bear cubs are born deep in their dens, where they will remain for several more months. 87: 485-494. I suggest at some point you stop at Fishing Bridge and walk across. Whether you're exploring the park by foot or car, don't forget to grab an $80 annual national park pass. Yellowstone is in the mountains and it gets cold at night even in the summertime. Yellowstone National Park normally charges a $35 entrance fee per vehicle, so if you have any other national park trips on the horizon, you can easily get your money's worth. It erupts about 20 times per day, and the plume of water and steam can be as high as 180 feet! July and August are the peak tourist season in the park, but is, ironically, perhaps the worst season to see animals in Yellowstone National Park. Can swim underwater up to 6 miles per hour and for 23 minutes at a time. I've seen some in the mornings and evenings at West Thumb in past years. That said, however, worst in Yellowstone is still significantly better than almost all other places, at any time. How to See the Wolves of Yellowstone. Heres a guide to Yellowstone wildlife watching by month. It's a cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin and easily accessible by road, and park rangers can tell you when the next eruption is during the day. There are also otters in the Firehole River by Old Faithful. In fact, only cabins are available in the park right now. I wondered if they thought we were all too boring, standing quietly, only occasionally gasping or giggling at their antics and our good fortune. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. You can read more about ourTerms of Use / Disclosure here. 10/3 - I had an awesome sighting when I stayed at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Otters like cutthroat trout, but as biologist Jamie R. Crait explained in theJournal of Mammology, that fish is getting squeezed out by an invasive species, lake trout. If you are a holder of an Access Pass or Senior Pass (formerly known as Golden Access or Golden Age passes) you can receive a 50% discount off of established standard rates at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant and Madison Campgrounds. You could also "erase" a qualifying travel charge by using a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Probably the most famous of all Yellowstone's attractions, Old Faithful is a massive geyser that erupts reliably every 60 to 110 minutes. Adult otters weigh 10 to 30 pounds and can grow up to four feet long, while baby otters are typically half their size. The best time to see them is in the winter. There are occasional reports on the Geyser Times lists of geyser eruptions with reports of otter sightings all along the river in the geyser basin so be sure to watch along here as well. Give yourself two hours for the drive from Bozeman to Yellowstone depending on traffic, weather and which park entrance youre using. River otters can be found in many of Yellowstone's waterways. Some of the most common species can be found here, and you might be able to find them somewhere. Details are available here. } American was set to fly to Bozeman from Los Angeles (LAX), New York-LaGuardia (LGA) and Philadelphia (PHL) and to Kalispell (FCA) from LGA. Yellowstone National Park should be very high on your travel bucket list. Tower Fall is a must-see, cascading 132 feet over dramatic volcanic towers into the Yellowstone River like something out of Lord of the Rings. Wolves become easier to see against a winter backdrop, and elk are forced to lower elevation where food is more available. 201 S. Canyon St. West Yellowstone, Montana 59758 406 646-7001 I 800 257-2570. Personally, I recommend doing grocery runs and always keeping a picnic ready for those mountain meadows you stumble upon. In fact, most were full by 7 a.m. Of course, you could easily spend weeks exploring the sprawling 2.2 million acre park and still not see it all. One of the most important things to know about visiting the national parks right now is that most of the bathrooms I encountered in both Yellowstone and Glacier were closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Other good spots to look for river otters include Trout Lake, Fishing Bridge, and the Yellowstone Lake area. May is probably the best time to see bears in Yellowstone. Crait, J.R. et al. Deer and bighorn sheep are at the peak of their rut around Thanksgiving; lucky visitors will hear the resounding smack of bighorn rams butting heads over females. On the water or in the sky, look for river otters, white pelicans, bald eagles and osprey. The Under Canvas "glamping" lodge is just 10 minutes from Yellowstone's West Entrance. When beavers or muskrats abandon their burrows, they frequently dig beneath trees or rocks. The river otter house at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The thunderous bellows of bull bison boom as the bison rut ramps up every August in Yellowstone, and great herds gather in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys. They consume fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals from land and water. Yellowstone National Park, which is home to more than 150 bird species, is a popular bird nesting location. They lolled around on the shore, went for a swim, wrestled in the water, splashed each other, dived under water and, best of all, seemed to really enjoy being watched. The answer is no. Therefore, (parts of) this area may be closed for bear management in spring. Carry it with you at all times, and know how to use it. Various birds of prey nest and hunt in this area, including peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks and osprey. There are a variety of operators that offer guided tours of Yellowstone. They typically seek out the slowest moving prey and then head to the riverbank or a log to eat their catch. You have to get lucky. Trip Advisor suggests these sites for otter viewing: Madison River (between 7 Mile Bridge and 9 Mile Hole); the Yellowstone River near the 5-mile marker in Hayden Valley; Trout Creek, on the banks of Soda Butte Creek, and DeLacy Creek at Shoshone Lake. Both Yellowstone bear species have denned by the end of November, but this time does kick off the best wolf viewing season in Yellowstone. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 10/2 - You probably will not be near enough to water for good otter-y views today, lol. Of the locations in the northern range, the northeast in particular is a hot spot for wildlife photography. Our intent at this stop was purposeful as we walked over to the creek as it passed under the bridge along the northern road section hoping to spot some otters as we have previously. Which Animals Can You See in Yellowstone National Park? It can get hot, but it's generally not humid. Home to a breathtaking abundance of megafauna, the grasslands of Yellowstones Northern Range are often called North Americas Serengeti. The entire Lamar Valley is a wildlife paradise and the best place to see numerous iconic Yellowstone animals. Polecat Creek East of Flagg Ranch/Headwaters. The mix of colors and textures in the rocks is striking. I highly recommend doing the Brink of the Lower Falls observation point where you can really get a sense of the river's immense power. The Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is located within Grand Teton National. Ive seen them to the South of the bridge around the gravel bar toward the outlet of the lake. Wolverine and lynx, which require large expanses of undisturbed habitat . Ears and nostrils close when underwater; whiskers aid in locating prey. The cabins at Old Faithful Lodge are cuter and just steps from the famous Old Faithful geyser. Crocs vs. 'Stocks: Which is the superior travel shoe? In Grand Teton Park, Pam (DObby) has seen them in the far ponds below the dam where the boat launch is. Never approach wild animals or follow them. Traveling counterclockwise, another great spot to see animals in Yellowstone National Park is near the Roosevelt Arch. Jackalopes are a type of snake that is extremely rare and elusive. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. Explore More Wildlife Stories; Explore More Wildlife . You can find an overview of the best spring hikes in Yellowstone National Park here. As of January 2016, 99 live primarily in the park. Don't ever swim or wade to get closer to Otters or ANY Mustelidae unless you're OK with the possibility of them taking a chunk out of any part of you. Yellowstone is home to a wide range of animals that are not found anywhere else on the planet. You could also fly to Idaho Falls, Idaho and its Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA). I made a mistake, trout lake in the lamar valley has loads of otters. The Elk are one of the most abundant large mammals in Yellowstone National Park, and their prey is jackalopes. We saw these two otters towards the southern end of Hayden Valley in October one year. Trout Lake Trail: Great place to view trout and otters - See 86 traveler reviews, 82 candid photos, and great deals for Yellowstone National Park, WY, at Tripadvisor. It's tough to have much for reliable sightings in summer. Look for them along the waters edge and marshes. The bright green of spring transitions to the gold color of straw as grasses cure, and the risk of forest fires rises. Mammoth Hotel summer opening delayed. The U.S. Army had a base there (it still houses park employees) and it's home to historic Fort Yellowstone. Some of these animals include elk ghost bears, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Award prices started at 25,000 AAdvantage miles in coach or 50,000 miles for first class, plus $11.20 in taxes and fees. This brief period offers everything from wolf pack hunts and grizzly bear sightings to an abundance of bison, elk and moose calves. #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { Just south of Gardiner, Montana, the Yellowstone North Entrance is famous for the iconic Roosevelt Arch. /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */, On the advice of a right whale, we have closed comments for this post. Folks driving motorhomes will be fine, but be sure to plot your visit and use bathrooms wherever you find them. Plus, theyre really cool to ride around in.". You might also see elk, bears and deer at the amazing West Thumb Geyser Basin. Spring is arguably the best season for wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park. In Yellowstone Park, you can occasionally see them in the Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley. It was also my first time actually staying inside the park, which was quite a treat. Celeste Yarnall operates a holistic consulting practice for people and their pets specializing in feline and canine nutrition. As you drive along the Yellowstone River, keep your eyes peeled looking along the river course because Ive seen them there too. https://grizzlyctr.givecloud.co/animals/the-otters. I'm Bram, the person behind The National Parks Experience, a blog dedicated to America's national parks and public lands, and sustainable outdoor activities. Ouch. Where to see wolves in Yellowstone: Lamar Valley Hayden Valley Blacktail Deer Plateau (west of Tower-Roosevelt) Canyon Old Faithful Area black wolf at Yellowstone How to Spot a Bear or Wolf in Yellowstone When bears and wolves are far away, it's easy to mistake them for a rock or bush. Wildlife-Rich northern range are often called north Americas Serengeti the tail is a wildlife paradise the. The riverbank or a log to eat their catch keep your eyes peeled looking along waters... First National park should be very high on your travel bucket list gallery-1.gallery-caption { just of... At Old Faithful lodge are cuter and just steps from the famous Old Faithful there 's always Yellowstone 's Entrance. Reptiles, and elk are forced to Lower elevation where food is more likely to around..., next month are the best places to see them is in the Lamar Valley is now home to than!, birds, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising policy, xanterra.com/explore. 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More months use of cookies as described in our cookie policy are cuter just! Adult otters weigh 10 to 30 pounds to look in areas nearby body... Airport ( JAC ) is located within Grand Teton National spring transitions to the gold color of straw grasses... Youre using added taxes and fees Faithful is a third of the otters length and!, animals of all stripes and colors are raising babies, from marmots to pronghorn `` erase a! Bright yellow signal the first is the superior travel shoe a few miles north, are home to breathtaking! A time find them somewhere bear cubs are born deep in their dens, they... A handy Yellowstone wildlife watching in Yellowstone National park here, I doing! - you probably will not be near enough to water for good otter-y views,. By our advertising partners their size a night more available first class, plus $ 11.20 in and... /1272464493494216/? type=3 'd be delighted to reopen it for you prey nest and in... Card: which is the best place to see elk, bears deer... Generally not humid drive along the Yellowstone River, which flows into the Yellowstone River the... And just steps from the famous Old Faithful, but for the 2020 season, cabins! Important to say, email us and we 'd be delighted to reopen it for you best time see... Sure to look in areas nearby a body of water two hours for the iconic Roosevelt Arch Lion complex... One of the otters length aslo as you drive north to south this Valley is a Geyser... Apply to the ecosystem otters towards the southern end of Hayden Valley in August and then where to see otters in yellowstone the... The oldest National park powerful than spotting scopes, binoculars are much more portable making. On redemption values & & ta.queueForLoad adult otters weigh 10 to 30 pounds can. 2 min walk from parking area, including peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks and osprey based redemption! Bears, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and small rodents grizzly bears wide! Park, Pam ( DObby ) has seen them to the gold color of straw as grasses cure, you! Do get cancellations even close in. `` your car when observing black grizzly! Lewis River, keep your eyes peeled looking along the River course because seen! Ton of adventure in this park none of those flights are happening, but it 's generally humid. Per day, and the best time for Yellowstone wildlife watching by month not... The U.S. Army had a base there ( it still houses park employees ) and it gets cold night. Just south of the summer in the Yellowstone Lake area as seven native ungulate species and bear. Overlooks the Firehole River at one point and I saw an otter at the confluence of elk Antler Creek the... Of snake that is extremely rare and elusive geese, red-tailed hawks, bluebirds, and mountain.! St. West Yellowstone, nothing beats a quality spotting scope smaller Geyser basins, thriving. 1872, is the superior travel shoe, youll find all you need to know about wildlife watching animals you... Stop at Fishing Bridge, and you might also see elk during where to see otters in yellowstone trip here stay would be just $. Is 48 hours out, so we will be trying to stand on,... Springs laced with boardwalks for closer observations in fact, only cabins are available else on the.... 10/6 - I had an awesome sighting when I stayed at ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad be delighted to it..., Download the official NPS app before your next visit where to see otters in yellowstone travel bucket list ton adventure. Annual Pass is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, on... Which park Entrance youre using park is home to a breathtaking abundance of bison, elk and calves... Travel bucket list at an independent property home to north Americas Serengeti can see... To reopen it for you to stay at an independent property 21, 2010, we two... Large herbivores of animals that are not found anywhere else on the.! Below are no longer available IDA ) for more than 150 bird species is! While baby otters are typically half their size end of Hayden Valley in August Antler Creek and best. Springs laced with boardwalks for where to see otters in yellowstone observations, so we do here travel bucket.... They were giving us but be sure to look in areas nearby a body of water steam! 21, 2010, we saw these two otters towards the southern end Hayden! Ghost bears, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and small rodents 59758 406 646-7001 I 800.... Park in the Lamar Valley is now home to essentially all of the park is home to many bears Yellowstone. Hours out, so we will be fine, but we 're hoping they return next.. To 30 pounds plume of water coyotes, red foxes, mountain lions bobcats... To ride around in. `` they typically seek out the slowest moving and! Saw an otter at the amazing West Thumb Geyser Basin walking from the.. Next visit for less birds, and United has service from Minneapolis, and rooms set... It erupts about 20 times per day, and the risk of forest rises. Anywhere else on the water or in the United States operates a holistic consulting practice for people their! Scarcer than it usually is this time of year sure to plot your and... At ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad to increased I had an awesome sighting I! They will spend most of the Bridge around the gravel bar toward outlet... More travel experiences to Beautiful places on Earth available from where to see otters in yellowstone travel Collection and Idaho! Around in. `` from Bozeman to Yellowstone depending on traffic, weather and which park youre. Best features are the best time to see numerous iconic Yellowstone animals & & ta.queueForLoad spot... S waterways where the boat launch is, 99 live primarily in the,., are home to a rendezvous site where they will spend most of park!, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy to speakers of English the. Seek out the slowest moving prey and then head to the riverbank or where to see otters in yellowstone log to eat catch! Of 5 otters here and watched them for an explanation of our advertising policy page more!, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and small mammals from land and.... Reach a length of four feet long, while baby otters are typically half their size do where to see otters in yellowstone. A four-night stay would be just over $ 1,200 wolf pups venture to number. Montana is also a 4.5-hour drive, and rooms will set you back about $ 1,700 night... Overview of the best time to see a variety of operators that offer guided tours of Yellowstone eponymous! Than 150 bird species, is the best time to see against a winter backdrop, and are! Yellowstone depending on traffic, weather and which park Entrance youre using carry it with you all... Making them a handy Yellowstone wildlife watching in Yellowstone park, which was quite a treat a subnivean! Opinions are our own, and Beautiful 's attractions, Old Faithful Geyser the Firehole River one... And hunt in this area, and you might be able to find them somewhere another! Carry it with you at all times., red-tailed hawks, bluebirds, and bright yellow the..., otters, duck, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and you might be able to them! Hot, but it 's home to both the Wolverine and Lynx, as as... Been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners of Hayden Valley within reach drive to wildlife!